The New Orleans Zephyrs added some experience to an already veteran roster with the addition of pitcher David Aardsma this week. Aardsma, in his 11th season of professional baseball, has made 255 MLB appearances and 173 in the minor leagues.

A former first round draft pick by the San Francisco Giants, the 31-year-old rightie had 69 saves with the Seattle Mariners from 2009-10. He ranked fifth in the AL in saves during that time period.

View full sizeThis is a 2013 photo of David Aardsma of the New York Yankees. This image reflects the Yankees' spring training roster as of Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013The Associated Press

Aardsma had Tommy John surgery in 2011 and has played sparingly since then, making one appearance with the Yankees in 2012 and five rehab outings in the minors. The Yankees designated him for assignment on March 29 and released him on April 4.

Zephyrs pitching coach Charlie Corbell said he doesn't anticipate putting Aardma in the closer role, which is currently occupied by Pacific Coast League saves leader Chris Hatcher.

Hatcher, who has now earned 15 consecutive saves, made a longer outing than his usual ninth inning appearance on Monday, when he was called upon with one out in the eighth inning. That wasn't a reflection of the new addition, Corbell said, but rather getting Hatcher the work necessary for a call-up with the Marlins.

"Chris has to prepare himself to pitch in the big leagues," Corbell said. "He needs to get multiple up-downs and that's kind of what we've planned."

Aardsma will be a one inning guy until he gets settled, Corbell said.

"He'll be in the bullpen probably as he gets his feet on the ground," Corbell said. "He didn't throw a lot of innings last year, as he spent the majority of his time rehabbing. So he'll spend a lot of time kind of getting built into it. ... He'll determine his role by how he performs and what does."